The city Corporation is set to launch a rating system for auto rickshaws plying in the city following the model of online taxi cab aggregators.
The aim is to ensure better service for the city residents who depend on these vehicles for their daily commute.
Software developers
The local body has called for tenders from software developers to develop the mobile application and website that would let the users do the rating.
The challenge that the local body faces ahead of this is in convincing the auto rickshaw drivers to be part of the initiative.
“Of course, being part of this is by choice. We cannot force any of them to join. We have to think of providing incentives both for the auto rickshaw drivers who get better ratings and for the users who download the app and take part in the rating. The taxi cab aggregators usually provide subsidies for fare reductions given to users. We are also thinking of methods like fuel subsidies and even visible star rating stickers. The incentives have not been finalised yet,” says an official.
The auto rickshaw drivers will be provided with unique identity cards, with barcode or QR code.
These could be scanned on the mobile app to rate the particular journey.
The software for the same will be developed in an open source platform, so that the Corporation do not end up paying periodic license fees.
“Around 2,000 auto rickshaw drivers attached to the prepaid counters in the city are under the traffic advisory committee. They will be part of the system. We are already providing them Onam kits and such incentives. The Corporation will also introduce a health insurance scheme for them. We are also organising training classes for them, where they are provided sessions on safe driving and on behaviour with customers. We are attempting to bring a cultural change too here,” says city Corporation Mayor V.K. Prasanth.
Electronic autos
The Corporation is also pushing for a gradual shift towards electronic auto rickshaws under the Smart City project, to reduce pollution.
The first batch of e-autos are expected to be on the roads by the end of the year.
